Pentek'sCobalt 71621 Software Defined Radio Interface (SDR) has been selected as the SDR interface for the dual-band, dual-polarization, multi-static radar system, NeXtRAD. Currently under development at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in collaboration with University College London (UCL), NeXtRAD is a multi-static radar system meant for collecting multi-static data of small radar cross-section maritime targets embedded in sea clutter. The Cobalt Model 71621 by Pentek is well suited to the radar's requirements, providing three A/D converters and a dual-channel 800 MHz D/A converter and was thus selected for the task.

NeXtRAD is a multi-sensor network comprised of three stations (or nodes) separated by several hundred meters, all focusing on a common target area. The system requires a usable bandwidth of 50 MHz to achieve a range resolution of three meters. Each node has dual-polarized L and X-band antennas (IEEE definition) with a 10-degree beam width. This arrangement effectively forms a pair of bi-static radars in combination with a mono-static radar, which means that target data can be simultaneously acquired from three perspectives. This topology has advantages over single-sensor radars. The NeXtRAD is a more capable version of NetRAD, a single-frequency, multi-static radar developed by UCT and UCL.

According to initial tests, NeXtRAD requires waveform generation and digitization which are fully coherent at each node. To achieve coherency, each node is supplied a very stable 10 MHz reference signal from a local GPS-disciplined oscillator (GPSDO), distributed via a frequency distribution unit (FDU) to the Cobalt module and to the receiver exciter (REX). This ensures that there is no phase drift between oscillators in a given node and that the relative phase of oscillators between any two nodes is constant.

The controller software for the Cobalt module was developed using Pentek's ReadyFlow software libraries, in conjunction with an arbitrary waveform generator, spectrum analyzer and an oscilloscope. The digitization and waveform generation chains were developed and tested in separate controller programs before fusing these programs into a working source. A simple IF loop-back test, using one of the D/A output channels and a signal splitter, was used for development of digital transceiver before introducing the REX and other subsystems.

The hardware testing configuration, including a Frequency Distribution Unit (FDU), the Timing Control Unit (TCU), the Cobalt module and the Receiver Exciter (REX), was used to test a low-power bench-top prototype of the active node, using an AWG to supply a rising-edge trigger to the Cobalt module, and signal generators to supply synchronized reference signals to the REX and the Cobalt module.

Using this system, it was possible to detect moving targets by their Doppler shift at close range, such as a moving human target at approximately 75 meters from the transmitter, using a 500 nanosecond pulse with 50 MHz of bandwidth.

Passive nodes are essentially identical to the active node, except the transmitters are not needed. Using virtually the same controlling software for the Cobalt module in the active node, passive nodes can record waveforms at precisely the same moment as in the active node. Click here to learn more.